Course and qualification

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Sail Exam

AdvancedAfloat

About this course

Youth Sailing Scheme – Stage 3 introduces advanced sailing techniques, such as upwind and downwind sailing, alongside improving overall boat handling skills. Participants gain confidence in navigating more varied conditions while focusing on independence. This course is a crucial stage for progressing into competitive or more advanced sailing.

Prerequisites

Course knowledge and logged experience required

Documented sea time in the last 10 years, gained on sailing yachts appropriate to the exam: 30 days at sea on a vessel under 24m, 2 days as skipper on a vessel under 24m, 800 miles, and 12 night hours. At least half the qualifying sea time should be in tidal waters.

Alternative route: With an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Sail course completion certificate or an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Power Certificate of Competence: 12 days at sea and 400 miles on vessels under 24m, or the published substitution on yachts under 500gt.

Required certificates and documents

  • GMDSS-compliant Marine Radio Operator certificate such as RYA SRC or higher
  • Valid RYA First Aid certificate or accepted equivalent
  • Coastal Skipper Practical certificate only when claiming reduced sea time
  • Photographic identification
Sea miles
800 miles
Days at sea
30 days
Night hours
12 hours
Days as skipper
2 days

Check the official RYA prerequisite information (opens in a new tab)

Recommended course progression

Starting from the beginning

We have not assessed your existing qualifications, knowledge or experience yet, so every step is shown as still to do.

View your course roadmap8 steps · Starts from the beginning

Follow these courses in order to build the course knowledge or certificates described above.

Once you tell us what you already know or hold, we can recognise equivalent knowledge or skills and adjust this route.

Logged experience, sea time and required documents are assessed separately and are not completed by taking these courses alone.

  1. Step 1 · To do
  2. Step 2 · To do
  3. Step 3 · To do
  4. Step 4 · To do
  5. Step 5 · To do
  6. Step 6 · To do
  7. Step 7 · To do
  8. Step 8 · To do

    RYA First Aid Course

    RYA schemes:Inland WaterwaysMotor CruisingPersonal WatercraftPowerboatRYASail CruisingShorebasedSmall Boat Sailing

    RYA First Aid Course

    Accidents happen when you least expect them. Thankfully serious incidents onboard are rare but getting to grips with basic first aid will ensure that everyone’s in good hands. Administering first…

    No RYA minimum ageProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
    Level:BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
    Format:Classroom
    Setting:Shorebased
    View course

Training providers

Where you can take this course

Choose a location and radius to show the linked providers nearest to you.

We do not yet have a published provider linked to this course.